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Rays 7, Twins 3 (Game #16) [7-9]
The Rays ended their three-game losing streak with a strong fifth inning which included key RBIs from Carl Crawford (1) and Nathan Haynes (2) as well as an impressive outing by Jason Hammel. Tampa Bay held the lead for the entire game starting with a B.J. Upton RBI single in the first inning, scoring Aki Iwamura from third base. Eric Hinske solidified the lead in the second inning with a solo homer to deep right, his fourth dinger of the season. The Twins got one back in the third inning with a Matt Tolbert RBI single. Evan Longoria added a two-run cushion with a RBI single to center scoring Upton. Justin Morneau flipped another digit with a run from second base after a Delmon Young RBI single to center. The Rays scored four runs in the fifth inning to extend their lead to five with runs scored by Jason Bartlett, Crawford, Iwamura and Upton. Again, Minnesota was able to get another run in the bottom of the fifth with a Joe Mauer RBI single to center scoring Tolbert. As I mentioned, Hammel had a remarkable six-inning performance, allowing just six hits and three runs while striking out five. In his previous two starts, the Rays only managed to score two runs. For the rest of the starting pitching staff, Tampa Bay has scored at least seven runs five times and at least five runs in 10 of 16 contests. Unlucky, I guess. J.P. Howell earned his first career save, allowing just two hits in three scoreless innings of relief with one strikeout. Carlos Pena left the game with right hamstring tightness and is listed as day-to-day. Mike DiFelice and Pena were the only two Rays to not have a hit in Thursday's lineup. The Rays return to Tampa for a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox which begins a nine-game homestand. Tomorrow's starter Jeff Niemann, the fourth overall selection in the 2004 amateur draft, allowed just one run and six hits in six innings of a 6-2 home win over Baltimore last week. He'll attempt to build on his extraordinary major league debut. On the other side of the card, Javier Vazquez will be on the mound for Chicago to face the Rays' effective offense. He's 4-2 with a 4.66 ERA in nine career starts against them, and has a 2-1 record and 5.16 ERA in five games at Tampa Bay. In 2007, the Sox were 6-1 against the Rays including a four-game sweep at Tropicana Field. I'm happy with the Rays' win against the Twins and I anticipate a thrilling series against Chicago. It's vital that the Rays win at least six of their next nine games to get beyond the .500 mark. Wouldn't it be nice for the Rays to enjoy their first day off of the season (besides the postponed Orioles game) with a three-game sweep of Chicago on April 21st? I think if the Rays continue to pitch well in the early and later innings and get the kind of consistent hitting they're enjoying at the moment, the wins will pile up at home. I'm a firm believer in this team. If Tampa Bay can eliminate the costly mistakes that have plagued them during their losses, the wins are inevitable. Luck plays a part, but I'm willing to bet the Rays desire to succeed will be enough to get them over the proverbial… you know.
The Rays ended their three-game losing streak with a strong fifth inning which included key RBIs from Carl Crawford (1) and Nathan Haynes (2) as well as an impressive outing by Jason Hammel. Tampa Bay held the lead for the entire game starting with a B.J. Upton RBI single in the first inning, scoring Aki Iwamura from third base. Eric Hinske solidified the lead in the second inning with a solo homer to deep right, his fourth dinger of the season. The Twins got one back in the third inning with a Matt Tolbert RBI single. Evan Longoria added a two-run cushion with a RBI single to center scoring Upton. Justin Morneau flipped another digit with a run from second base after a Delmon Young RBI single to center. The Rays scored four runs in the fifth inning to extend their lead to five with runs scored by Jason Bartlett, Crawford, Iwamura and Upton. Again, Minnesota was able to get another run in the bottom of the fifth with a Joe Mauer RBI single to center scoring Tolbert. As I mentioned, Hammel had a remarkable six-inning performance, allowing just six hits and three runs while striking out five. In his previous two starts, the Rays only managed to score two runs. For the rest of the starting pitching staff, Tampa Bay has scored at least seven runs five times and at least five runs in 10 of 16 contests. Unlucky, I guess. J.P. Howell earned his first career save, allowing just two hits in three scoreless innings of relief with one strikeout. Carlos Pena left the game with right hamstring tightness and is listed as day-to-day. Mike DiFelice and Pena were the only two Rays to not have a hit in Thursday's lineup. The Rays return to Tampa for a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox which begins a nine-game homestand. Tomorrow's starter Jeff Niemann, the fourth overall selection in the 2004 amateur draft, allowed just one run and six hits in six innings of a 6-2 home win over Baltimore last week. He'll attempt to build on his extraordinary major league debut. On the other side of the card, Javier Vazquez will be on the mound for Chicago to face the Rays' effective offense. He's 4-2 with a 4.66 ERA in nine career starts against them, and has a 2-1 record and 5.16 ERA in five games at Tampa Bay. In 2007, the Sox were 6-1 against the Rays including a four-game sweep at Tropicana Field. I'm happy with the Rays' win against the Twins and I anticipate a thrilling series against Chicago. It's vital that the Rays win at least six of their next nine games to get beyond the .500 mark. Wouldn't it be nice for the Rays to enjoy their first day off of the season (besides the postponed Orioles game) with a three-game sweep of Chicago on April 21st? I think if the Rays continue to pitch well in the early and later innings and get the kind of consistent hitting they're enjoying at the moment, the wins will pile up at home. I'm a firm believer in this team. If Tampa Bay can eliminate the costly mistakes that have plagued them during their losses, the wins are inevitable. Luck plays a part, but I'm willing to bet the Rays desire to succeed will be enough to get them over the proverbial… you know.
